‘State of the Air’ in USA – We Can Do Better says NGVAmerica

April 24, 2019 | USA: Washington DC | Source: NGVAmerica

Bakersfield CA

For 20 years, the American Lung Association has analyzed data from official air quality monitors to compile the “State of the Air” report. It found justification for growing concern about the impact of air-borne pollution. Gage, President of NGVAmerica, released a statement in regards to findings in the 2019 report.

The report found that, in 2015-2017, more cities had high days of ozone and short-term particle pollution compared to 2014-2016 and many cities measured increased levels of year-round particle pollution.

NGVAmerica’s response

“It’s simply unacceptable that 141 million Americans live their daily lives impacted by unhealthy air that can lead to asthma, lung cancer, heart disease and premature death. We can and must do better. It starts with getting serious about tackling air pollution in freight and passenger transportation.

“Right now, 74% of heavy-duty trucks are not certified to the latest NOx standard at a time when it’s the number one source of urban emissions. Meanwhile, with natural gas, we have a widely available, cost-effective, abundant and domestically sourced fuel that is the cleanest with almost no emissions.

“The cleanest truck engines in the world are powered by natural gas. The Cummins Westport Ultra-Low NOx engine – made in America – is 90% cleaner than the EPA’s current NOx standard and 90% cleaner than its latest available diesel engine counterpart.

“Natural gas delivers more new vehicles and far greater emission benefits for the investment than any other alternative. No other transportation fuel is as sustainable, adaptive, and competitive across all vehicle classes. In fact, replacing 1 traditional diesel-burning heavy-duty truck with 1 new Ultra Low-NOx natural gas heavy-duty truck is the emissions equivalent of removing 119 traditional combustion engine cars off our roads.

“Our goal at NGVAmerica is to ensure that every American will wake up in neighborhoods with clean air by 2025, and natural gas vehicles get us there.

NGVAmerica, the 200-member national trade association for the U.S. natural gas vehicle industry, is dedicated to the development of a growing, profitable, and sustainable market for vehicles powered by natural gas or biomethane in on-road and off-road vehicle, rail, and marine applications. Its member companies produce, distribute and market natural gas and biomethane across North America, manufacture and service natural gas vehicles, engines and equipment, and operate fleets powered by clean-burning gaseous fuels.